Queensryche plays Roar on the Shore on Saturday

HEAR IT

Queensryche plays Saturday at 9 p.m. at Roar on the Shore's main stage in Perry Square. For more on the band, see www.queensrycheofficial.com.

Queensryche has been part of progressive-rock royalty ever since 1988's classic "Operation: Mindcrime," but it has endured a contentious war worthy of "Game of Thrones" in recent years. The band fired lead singer Geoff Tate in 2012, who promptly hired new musicians and continued touring as Queensryche.

In November, a Seattle judge will decide which band gets to wear the Queensr˙che crown. As for which band best evokes the vintage Queensr˙che sound -- meaty, thinking-man's metal with progressive flourishes, a locomotive rhythm section and dueling guitar attack -- that's not up for a judge to determine.

According to critics and many fans, the winner is the Queensr˙che with drummer Scott Rockenfield, guitarists Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren, bassist Eddie Jackson and powerhouse new vocalist Todd La Torre.

"The traditional Queensr˙che sound is back," raved Billboard. "The hooks are arresting, and the rhythm section packs unmitigated fire power." Amazon.com listeners collectively rate the new album 4 1/2 stars; "Frequency Unknown" by Queensr˙che and Geoff Tate sports just 21/2 stars, and Billboard savaged it: "Nothing on 'Frequency Unknown' sounds like the finely crafted rock (Tate) designed with his former bandmates."

By phone, Rockenfield graciously declined to say he's enjoying the last laugh but said he's "very proud of what we've done. ... We feel we're back on our feet again and the band is moving forward again."

Queensr˙che strayed into pop-flavored, keyboard-heavy territory in recent years -- a direction that Rockenfield and his bandmates didn't like.

"In all honesty, I have not been enthusiastic (recently). All of us together haven't had the right thing going on for many years," he said. "We feel we're back. We're re-energized doing this. We're going to bring the Queensr˙che that fans want and what they like about us and give them shows they love."

Live, that means "a lot of the great old classic Queensr˙che, stuff from our earlier days -- basically our first six records," Rockenfield said. "Our focus is from the EP up until 'Empire,' and then putting in new songs as we learn them. We have a great energetic show and are just having fun with it. Our fans are not arguing when they leave the gigs. We've had great feedback."

HEAR IT

Queensryche plays Saturday at 9 p.m. at Roar on the Shore's main stage in Perry Square. For more on the band, see www.queensrycheofficial.com.